ABSTRACT
Introduction: Service provision for tackling cataract blindness is a key priority and remains a challenge for eye care programs in Nigeria. At the moment, paucity of data on these services makes evaluation and effective planning difficult. Objective: To evaluate the infrastructure, equipment, and human resources for cataract surgical services, and determine the cataract surgical output in Kwara State, Nigeria. Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study of all cataract service institutions in Kwara state was conducted in May-July 2008 using pre-tested questionnaire and on-site review. Output data for 2003-2007 was collected and channels of yearly reporting of cataract surgical output for 2008-2009 established. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed. For all comparisons, statistical significance was indicated by p<0.05. Results: There were 14 cataract surgical centres (9 Base Hospitals and 5 Surgical Outreach Centres); all the Base Hospitals were located in the urban centres with over two third cited in Ilorin, the state capital. The state had adequate equipment and infrastructures; however they are mal-distributed in favour of urban areas. A total of 157 eye care workers comprising 12(7.6%) ophthalmologists (consultants=8, Diplomates=4), 16(10.2%) trainee ophthalmologists, 94(59.9%) mid-level ophthalmic personnel and 35(22.3%) support staff serve the state’s 2.37million people. Eighty per cent of the eye care workers reside in the state capital where less than 30% of the population lives. Cataract surgical output increased from 218 in 2,003 to 1020 in 2009. Conclusion: There is adequacy of infrastructure, equipment and human resources with improving cataract surgical output. To attain vision 2020 target, mal-distribution of infrastructures, equipment and human resources and poor staff mix need to be addressed. There is urgent need for establishing state- and nation-wide systems for reporting cataract surgical output.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate challenges; attitudes and practices among spectacle wearers to effect positive change when necessary; and determine positive change in a resource-limited economy. Materials and Methods: A multi-hospital descriptive; cross sectional survey of spectacle wearers was conducted between May 2007 and December 2008 in Nigeria. Results: A total of 214 wearers comprising 43.5males and 56.5females aged 18-84 years were surveyed. The majority of subjects (92.6) had at least secondary education. The wearers' challenges included expensive spectacles (43.0); falling/ scratched/broken lenses (29.4) and fear that spectacles would damage the eyes (23.8). The wearers' attitudes were comprised of consultations with 'road side dispensers' (7) and permitting other individuals to select spectacle frames for them (26). Care and maintaince practices included use of handkerchief; tissue paper; fingers and water to clean spectacles (49.5) and placing spectacles inside spectacle cases (30.4). There were no associations (P 0.05) between gender or literacy levels and who selected the frames for the subjects; caregivers consulted for spectacles; and cleaning materials for spectacles. The placement of spectacles when not in use was significantly associated (P 0.05) with the wearers' gender and literacy levels but not with the length of spectacle wear. Conclusion: Attitudes and practices requiring positive change crossed gender and educational levels among spectacle wearers. The cost of spectacles should be regulated and availability of standard eye care practices would reduce challenges including lens-related defects and quackery. During consultation with a recognized eye care professional; counseling of wearers on positive attitudes/practices as well as allaying fear of spectacle wear is required
Subject(s)
Attitude , EyeglassesABSTRACT
This is a cross sectional community based study that determined the eye care seeking dispositions of the adult Nigerians using the inhabitants of Afon a rural community in Kwara State; Nigeria as a case study. A total of three hundred and thirty nine (339) adult inhabitants of the Community were selected using cluster sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered on the respondents by the author and three assistants. Most respondents (62.5) resorted to orthodox eye care while a few (8.8) sought traditional eye care. Others (26.3) received no treatment at all while 2.4sought spiritual and other combinations. The preferred mode of eye care was the orthodox care